Gordon Awarded Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Grant

Earlier this fall, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced 39 grants totaling $14.6 million to support life sciences workforce development and STEM education—and Gordon College is among the recipients. Gordon is one of the 22 institutions benefitting from the Workforce Development Capital Grant program to enhance and expand industry-aligned training programs. Forty other schools will receive the STEM Equipment and Professional Development Grant that supports new and expanded STEM curricula. In total, 25,000+ students will receive enhanced training and education opportunities that will better prepare them for exciting careers in the life sciences and other STEM fields. “By making investments in STEM workforce and educational opportunities, we can sustain and strengthen Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences and other STEM industries,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are grateful to partners across the Commonwealth for working with our administration to create more career pathways for students in these growing fields.” Gordon will receive approximately $380,000 in equipment as part of the Life Sciences Consortium of the North Shore, a collaboration with Salem State University, Endicott College and North Shore Community College. “Our commitment to undergraduate training and opportunities for student research experiences are absolutely bolstered by the equipment that we will gain from this grant,” says Dr. Greg Keller, professor of conservation biology and chair of the Life, Health and Physical Sciences Department at Gordon. “Real-time PCR, high-end microscopes and camera-linked lab projectors will enhance our cell and molecular biology, genetics and health professions classes. We are thrilled that students will be even more prepared for their careers in biology and biochemistry, medicine and biotechnology.” “From Boston to the Berkshires, the life sciences can offer transformational educational and careers opportunities to people throughout our Commonwealth,” said MLSC President and CEO Kenn Turner. “I am proud that under my tenure we launched a new effort to strengthen and diversify the Massachusetts life sciences talent pipeline by investing in robust and industry-aligned training programs. At the same, we are more bullish than ever that investment in our middle schools and high schools will continue to increase educational and regional equity for Massachusetts students.” MLSC’s Workforce Development Capital Grant program seeks to further the development and expansion of life sciences education and training programs offered by post-secondary academic institutions and non-profit organizations through capital investment in industry-aligned certificate and degree programs. Pictured above: Dr. Kristen Siaw (physics) and her research student Noah Slater ’23 using a spectrophotometer—more of which will be purchased through the grant.